Scramble Route - Fiacaill Ridge, Cairngorm

Fiacaill Ridge, Cairngorm - East Highlands

Grade: 2

With only 500ft of ascent this is not the longest or hardest scramble in the Cairngorms, but its position between Coire an-t-Sneachda and Coire an Lochain makes it something special.

Equipment: Rope and protection optional but not essential.

Online Map link

Views: 4 Technicality:1 Exposure: 2

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GIBBER FACTOR* 2 *out of five.

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Overview The Fiacaill Ridge is one of those scrambles that stands out as much for its position as any other reason.

With only 500ft of ascent this is not the longest or hardest scramble in the Cairngorms, but its position between Coire an-t-Sneachda and Coire an Lochain makes it something special.

Finally, the short walk in - by Scottish standards anyway - and a finish on the top of the Cairngorm Plateau make this low end route something special for everyone.

The ridge viewed from Coire an t'Sneachda - Scott

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Approach From the car park at Coire Cas take the well defined path south west towards Coire an-t-Sneachda and past the Fiachaill a' Choire Chais. Cross the Allt an t-Sneachda and head for the ridge between Coire an t-Sneachda and Coire an Lochain - The Fiacaill Ridge.

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Route The ridge starts easily enough over a mix of grass and rock, with boulders becoming more dominant as you ascend. Around 700ft of easy ascent brings you to a minor top on the ridge and the start of the real scrambling.

The name Fiacaill Ridge is often applied to the section between this subsidiary top and the Cairngorn Plateau rather than the whole ridge. From here the route starts off downhill at an easy angle on solid rock, then turns uphill again.

Blocky scrambling in winter conditions - Old Enough To Know Better

The scrambling is easy, with granite providing good grip underfoot and handholds everywhere as you follow the ridge crest between the ever deepening corries to either side.

At around half-height on the ridge the ground suddenly steepens and the need for using hands increases. The best choice is to take the ridge crest wherever possible, linking together problems and moves as and where you choose, with easier ground generally available to the right as an escape.

While there are no particular problem areas, or even over-exposed manouevres the exposure from being high above the corries to either side adds to the overall impact of the scramble.

On the summit plateau - Mark Pillinger

After 500ft of ascent from the subsidiary top the ridge breaks onto the wide expanse of the Cairngorm Plateau with Cairn Lochan just a short amble off to the right.

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Descent From the summit of Cairn Lochan you can continue to join a descent path between Cairn Lochan and Lurcghers Crag, or alternatively turn around and traverse the plateau to the summit of Cairngorm itself. From here a choice of well used routes head back down into the safety of Coire Cas.

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Note In winter the whole area takes on a different complexion altogether, and although the Fiacaill Ridge is only a short distance from the safety of the Ski Centre even a simple descent to the car park can turn into an epic struggle with driving snow and white-out conditions.

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Caution Scrambling is potentially dangerous and, particularly at the higher grades, requires technical skills and equipment to minimise the risk. We suggest that you take professional instruction or climb with an experienced partner.